Administrative Assistant, University Corporate and Foundation Relations

Administrative Assistant, University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy

About The Office of University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy

The Office of University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy (UFRCP) in the Alumni Affairs & Development (AAD) division builds university-wide relationships that maximize corporate and foundation philanthropy to Cornell University. We are looking for a team member who will grow with us as we increase foundation and corporate support for Cornell's strategic priorities.

The Opportunity

Are you an organized, detail-oriented professional who enjoys building relationships, managing complex projects, and supporting meaningful work? Join the University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy (UFRCP) team and play a vital role in connecting our institution's faculty, programs, and students with foundation and corporate partners whose support helps drive innovation, research, and impact.

As the Administrative Assistant with University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy, you will be a trusted partner to a collaborative team of fundraising professionals, providing administrative, operational, and programmatic support to the Director, Senior Associate Director, and two Associate Directors. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to work that strengthens the university's ability to secure philanthropic investments and advance its strategic priorities.

We are seeking a proactive, resourceful, and customer-focused professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys balancing multiple priorities, and is committed to excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

What You Will Do

Coordinate Schedules, Events, and Travel

You will help keep a busy team organized and operating efficiently by:

• Managing calendars, appointments, meetings, and event schedules.
• Coordinating both routine and complex travel arrangements and preparing itineraries.
• Processing travel reimbursements and expense reports.
• Maintaining project and program calendars.
• Assisting with foundation and corporate visits, special events, registrations, hospitality arrangements, logistics, and event briefings.
• Taking meeting notes and tracking follow-up actions as needed.

Manage Data and Reporting

You will support fundraising operations through effective data management, including:

• Entering and maintaining contact reports and solicitation information within CRM systems.
• Retrieving and compiling donor, prospect, and giving-history information.
• Creating reports, spreadsheets, databases, and other materials that support strategic decision-making.
• Ensuring accuracy and integrity of information across systems and records.

Support Research, Communications, and Stewardship

You will help connect university opportunities with potential philanthropic support by:

• Conducting basic research on foundations, corporations, and funding opportunities.
• Preparing and distributing funding opportunity communications to academic and administrative units.
• Assisting with reports, presentations, and stewardship materials.
• Designing professional slide decks, reports, website content, and other communications materials.
• Supporting donor stewardship activities, including invoice coordination, progress-report tracking, campus visits, and virtual engagement events.

Provide General Office and Administrative Support

You will contribute to a positive and efficient team environment by:

• Serving as a friendly first point of contact for inquiries by phone and email.
• Responding to routine requests and directing inquiries appropriately.
• Maintaining shared files, documentation, policies, and procedures.
• Drafting correspondence, presentations, spreadsheets, and other business documents.
• Managing office supplies, equipment, and inventory.
• Supporting team retreats, meetings, and departmental activities.
• Assisting with procurement, reimbursements, and financial transactions.
• Updating website content and helping ensure information remains accurate and accessible.

Contribute as a Team Member

You will:

• Participate in training and professional development opportunities.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices.
• Contribute ideas that support department goals and continuous improvement.
• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Apply today with your resume and cover letter and help build partnerships that empower the future of Cornell University!

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• High school diploma and 2 to 4 years professional office experience with a strong customer service element, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Must be detail oriented and have the demonstrated ability and organizational skills to establish priorities, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with the ability to further develop skills in these applications when necessary.
• Ability to learn AAD tools such as PeopleSoft/CRM, OBIEE, Tableau, and Salesforce.
• Must be a self-motivated, resourceful, and reliable person capable of working in a dynamic environment as part of an energetic, supportive, and intellectually curious team and able to perform many job-related duties unassisted after initial training.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively - excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills required.
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility, sound judgment, integrity, and sense of humor are essential.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Experience working in an academic, advancement/development, or research environment or equivalent combination.
• Interest or experience working in fundraising and/or grants administration is helpful.
• Advanced proficiency in project management platforms and advanced presentation design.

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week.
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

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Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.